Filipino Sticky Rice with Banana Leaf (Biko)

Filipino Sticky Rice Recipe, or Biko, is an easy and quick way to make something sweet for special occasions or every day. Our family loves this sweet and delicious dessert.

Filipino sweet sticky rice is a dessert treat that is popular not only in the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia but anywhere Filipino people get together to share delicious cuisine!

All of these items are readily available at your local Asian market. If you absolutely can't find banana leaves, this dessert can be made without them.

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FILIPINO STICKY RICE RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked sweet rice

3-4 cups water

1 13.5-oz can coconut milk

1 small can condensed milk 

1/2 cup brown or raw sugar

Molasses, 1 tablespoon (optional)

1-2 pieces of frozen banana leaves, cut to size of pan

The traditional recipe calls for 1/2 lb. of brown sugar, or half a box. That's a LOT of sugar! I prefer to use less brown sugar because the condensed milk provides plenty of sweet flavor. Molasses is optional but you can add it for its color and nutritional value and to give a hint of rich flavor.  

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Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a Pyrex baking dish with non-stick spray. For this recipe, I used a 9x9 inch baking dish but you can use 9x13 and spread the mixture thinner.

Cut the banana leaves to size so they cover the bottom and up the sides of the baking dish. Set aside.

Pour 2 cups of uncooked sweet rice in a medium saucepan or rice cooker. Cover with enough water so that there is twice as much water as there is rice.  I use the index finger measuring method shown here I've never had to use a rice cooker!

Once the sweet rice comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and allow to simmer about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, then pour the coconut milk into the rice and stir well with a wooden rice paddle or wooden spoon that has been rinsed in cold water. Likewise, add the condensed milk, then the brown sugar. Add the molasses, if used. Stir again until all ingredients are well blended.

With the aid of a rubber spatula, scrape the sweet rice mixture into the baking dish, using the spatula to spread the mixture inside the banana leaves.

Place the baking dish into the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the top begins to turn golden brown. 

Allow to cool before serving.